The Crows won the clearances (47-34), contested possessions (140-138), inside 50ms (71-42) and tackles (70-62) but couldn’t convert on the scoreboard. An accurate Port Adelaide slotted 18.7 with its 25 scoring shots, while Adelaide only managed 13.13 from 26 scoring opportunities.
The Power kicked seven unanswered goals across the first and second quarters, as the Crows kicked six straight behinds until captain Taylor Walker steadied with a major late in the second term.
Adelaide’s 71 forward 50m entries was the highest of any team on the weekend. Port's 42 entries ranked them 14th for the round, but they had the highest percentage of scores per inside 50m (59.5) in Round Five. The Crows only scored with 36.6 per cent of their inside 50m entries.
Adelaide kicked at only 61.5 per cent efficiency on Sunday compared to Port Adelaide’s 72.4 per cent. Collingwood led the way in Round Five, kicking at 77.8 per cent against Carlton.
In a greater midfield role, Patrick Dangerfield amassed a season-high 36 possessions against Port Adelaide. This included a game-high 21 contested possessions and 14 clearances. He also laid six tackles and generated seven inside 50ms. Only Sydney Swans onballer Dan Hannebery had more disposals (37) than Dangerfield in Round Five. The two-time All Australian also had an equal-round high 11 hard-ball gets.
Scott Thompson continued his rich vein of form since returning from injury three weeks ago. Thompson gathered 27 possessions at an efficiency rate of 81.5 per cent and kicked two brilliant goals in the last quarter. He also won nine clearances and applied six tackles.
Eddie Betts loves the Showdown stage. Betts slotted five goals on Sunday, increasing his tally to 13 goals in three games against Port Adelaide since joining the Crows. Betts and Thompson both received Goal of the Year nominations in Round Five.
Betts finished third in the Showdown Medal voting with nine. Robbie Gray won the medal for the second time after polling 14 votes, three more than Port skipper Travis Boak. Scott Thompson (two) was the only other Crow to collect votes on Sunday.
Unfortunately, Betts shouldered too much of the load in attack. Adelaide had only five goalkickers: Betts, Taylor Walker (two), Tom Lynch (two), Josh Jenkins (two) and Thompson (two).
Young Crow Cam Ellis-Yolmen had a game-high 10 tackles against the Power.
The Power had 42 more uncontested possessions than Adelaide and spread well out of the contest.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 342
Port Adelaide – 394
Kicks
Adelaide – 221
Port Adelaide – 200
Handballs
Adelaide – 173
Port Adelaide – 142
Free Kicks
Adelaide – 16
Port Adelaide – 19
Clearances
Adelaide – 47
Port Adelaide – 34
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 71
Port Adelaide – 42
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 140
Port Adelaide – 138
Tackles
Adelaide – 70
Port Adelaide – 62
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 39
Port Adelaide – 63
Interchanges
Adelaide – 111
Port Adelaide – 102
